St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-08-13

isgusted like. l SEE muffin, but
toOd mighty crooked.
"'We don't want no SIGH man as YOU
scz de sergeant you kin 60, an hyar
is"
The next day Uncle Henry started for
he village store on some domestic en-
and but returned in trepidation with
,ut fulfilling his commission.
DE soldiers am takin' de bosses
obrvwhere," he announced in thrilling
ones.
We had had some warning that the
government intended leyying on horses
or army use, but this was the first init
nation of its enforcement
Hide the horses in the middle of the
zig cornteld," commanded father.
Uncle Henry collected the animals
and led them into great cOrn1leid, near
the woods here they were securely last
ened to stakes The corn was unusually
high and effectually concealed them.
As we left one of the horses whinnied-
"Shet up, fool said Uncle Henry,
>ternly; "shet up, | say; does you want
TO haul ammernition wagon or be Kilt
ny canyon? Shet up
AnXiOuslv we awaited developments,
and sure enough just before dusk there
came three mounted soldiers.
I'VE will have to take your horses,
NY friend,' said one Of them to father.
There are no horses here was the
reply.
Il know better than that said the sol
der, and he tried to open the gate; 1t
was locked. He did not mind that, how
ever, for he yaulted over the gate like
2hamois.
There is the barn" said father you
can look for yourselves" At that mo-
ment my eyes fell on Uncle Henry, who
was standing nearby; that willy old col
ored man had not eaten cOrnbread and
bacon forty years for nothing. He had
an idea that part of the business of the
soldiers was to investigate him :; perhaps
the sergeant had suspected the ruse and
had sent these men to examine him under
pretense Of getting the horses.
The moment my glance fell on Uncle
Henry | forgot horses and soldiers, and
burst into yell of laughter The others
followed our glance and in an instant,
soldiers, father and ourselves were in
commissions of laughter.
Uncle Henry was standing with his
knees pressed closely together, and his
right shoulder was elevated in most
unnatural manner There was a gloomy,
determined expression on his face that
added to the ridiculous scene, and would
have made a mummy laugh.
If he would assume that posture in
corntield | would guarantee immunity to
the grain from every bird or beast of
prey that walked the earth or inhabited the
air. They would shun that field as they
are said to shun the Dead sea- After
futile search the soldiers departed and
Uncle Henry unlimbered himself.
Did you think they were after you,
Uncle Henry" | asked.
Don't know, honey" replied he ''dey
do mighty Gurus things in wah times
Time rolled on, battles were fought,
men were slain, houses burned and farms
devastated, but our farm was untouched.
At times raidng parties of cavalry were
in the immediate vicinity, but they did
us no harm. At last there were signs
that the storm of strife had about spent
itself there were indications of break
in the clouds and promise that before
long the sunshine of peace would battle
the land in its genial glow.
One last scene | shall never forget,
1t was a cold, wet spring morning, the
ram paltereu against lne WINDOW paneS,
the trees and shrubbery disconSolately
shed a shower of tears at every rustic of
wind and the heavens were murky and
drear
l had just finished breakfast and was
dejectedly gazing out on the sodden land
scape, when a hurried step sounded on
the porch, and knock summoned US to
the door. A neighbor stood without, a
newspaper in his hand, his countenance
perturbed, his manner excited
SHOW this to your father" said he in
low tones, indicating an article in the
paper.
We hurried in and gave the paper to
father, as he sat at the table.
My God" exclaimed he, "President
Lincoln was killed last night"
JAS. c. PLUMMER.